Hiking Corsica with Laurent Langoisseur 11 Days Hiking Corsica with Laurent Langoisseur From the azure waters and fine sandy beaches of the Mediterranean to the steep, red granite cliffs of its interior, Corsica is one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean Sea. Experience this land of contrasts, where heavenly beaches rub shoulders with soaring mountain peaks. With the leadership and support of top MT Sobek guide Laurent Langoisseur, hike iconic natural monuments, including the Calanques de Piana and the Aiguilles de Bavella, and explore historic towns. With charming accommodations, farm-to-table cuisine, and a cast of local characters, it's not to be missed! Details Testimonials Arrive: Ajaccio, Corsica "Corsica is Europe's best-kept secret. It has it all in one space: beaches like Greece, hills like Scotland, Depart: Bonifacio, Corsica rocks like New Zealand. A true gem!" David S. Duration: 11 Days Group Size: 6-14 Guests "Breathtaking hikes expose the island's cultural traditions and hidden treasures. An incredible way Minimum Age: 18 Years Old to reconnect with nature and experience a different side of France." Activity Level: Regina P. REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 Go further in one of Europe's This carefully tailored adventure Experience the perfect blend best hiking destinations includes an achievable section of Corsica's stunning hiking with top MT Sobek France of the GR20 trail - one of the trails and its cultural heart. guide Laurent Langoisseur. toughest hikes in Europe - without camping or sleeping in huts. ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE Moderate to challenging hikes, Elegant waterfront hotels, Corsica is dry, Mediterranean, scenic drives, culture tours, historic inns, and a country and unshaded. In the mountains and tastings of local delicacies, auberge all feature excellent it is cool with possible storms. all the while taking in the service, great views, and the island's majestic landscapes. full spectrum of amenities. Laurent Langoisseur hails from Normandy, France, having Born and raised by Corsican parents, Alex spent much of grown up in Argentan. In 1991, he obtained his European his childhood exploring and playing in the mountains of Mountain Leader certification, and in 1995 he was awarded the Corsica, traveling back and forth from the continent. In 2006, coveted patch of the Compagnie des Guides. An avid sports he successfully passed his mountain leader certification and enthusiast and inexhaustible hiker, Laurent has hiked the Tour now lives full time on the Island of Beauty: he can now explore du Mont Blanc close to 100 times. Laurent has been guiding and play in the mountains professionally. Alex is an amateur for MT Sobek since 1995, and is a senior guide on our Tour du photographer and is keen to share his love of Corsica with his Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc Express, and Haute Route trips, as guests. Friendly, outgoing, full of anecdotes, and a fountain of well as any other trip we can get him on! His knowledge of the knowledge, Alex is a great traveling companion, not to mention culture, history, plants, birds, and the name of every single a caring guide. peak and glacier along the trail is a wonderful complement to Alex Antongiorgi his guiding skills. When he isn’t guiding for us, he teaches First Aid and Mountain Rescue to mountain and hiking guides; and during the winter, he’s a ski patrol monitor in the mountains above Chamonix. Laurent Langoisseur Itinerary DAY 1 ARRIVE IN AJACCIO, CORSICA & TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL Land in Ajaccio, capital city of Corsica and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Meet your guides at the Ajaccio Airport (AJA) and transfer to your 4-star hotel in the city center. After a welcome meeting and trip briefing over a glass of wine, stroll through town and make our way to the local beach for your first dinner in Corsica. Raise a glass of wine made from the local Niellucciu or Sciacarellu grapes, and toast the beginning of our adventure. Meals: D DAY 2 HIKE ABOVE THE GULF OF PORTO After breakfast, board a van for an hour-long ride along the coast to the incredible Calanques de Piana. Hike to the highest point above the Gulf of Porto, where amazing views offer perspective into Corsica's many contrasts, with the blue Mediterranean waves crashing against the island's red rocks. Enjoy a trailside picnic, before descending down towards the gulf, watching as the setting sun makes the red cliffs of the Calanques de Piana glow! Then transfer to our hotel for an elegant dinner of local Corsican fare. Activity: 5 hours/7 miles hiking with 2,790' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 3 HIKE TO GIROLATA & TOUR SCANDOLA NATURE RESERVE BY PRIVATE BOAT After breakfast, set off along a curvy mountain road to the start of today's two-hour hike to the remote village of Girolata — only accessible via foot or by boat. Enjoy a fresh lunch at a beach café before boarding a private boat for an afternoon tour of the Scandola Nature Reserve. Learn about this beautiful marine and geological sanctuary before taking the boat directly back to Porto. Dinner tonight will again be at our hotel. Activity: 2 hours/2miles hiking with 300' and 1,000' loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 4 HIKE THE FAMOUS GR20 TO LAKE NINO FOR A PICNIC LUNCH Rise early this morning for our 1.5-hour transfer to our trailhead. Then breakfast at our trailhead in a small mountain hotel, situated along the GR20. Experience the hustle and bustle of GR20 trekkers getting ready for the morning send-off. After our breakfast, start your hike into this hikers' paradise, known for its endless meadows and wildlife. Follow the trail out to Lake Nino for a picnic lunch, then trace the route back to the starting point. Transfer to your hotel, the incomparable Dominique Colonna, home for the next three nights. Activity: 6-7 hours/12 miles hiking with 2,700' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 5 HIKE TO LAKES MELO AND CAPITELLO & TOUR CORTE After breakfast, hike high up in the Restonica Valley for a great day on one of the island's best trails. The hike today is short but intense, with ladders to climb, and rock slabs and scree to navigate - but well worth it for its marvelous views of Lakes Melo and Capitello, two of the island's natural gems. After the hike, return to Corte in the early afternoon for a visit to this colorful hilltop town, followed by dinner tonight at a local restaurant in town. Activity: 4.5 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,840' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 6 SUMMIT MOUNT RENOSO & PICNIC ON THE SHORES OF LAKE BASTANI After breakfast, transfer 1.5 hours to the ski resort of Ghisoni, the starting point of our hike. It's a heart-pumping climb to the summit at 7,715 feet, but you'll be rewarded with a full view of the island, from Cap Corse in the North, to the island of Sardinia to the South. Enjoy a great picnic on the shores of Lake Bastani, one of the highest lakes in Corsica. Return to the hotel in the afternoon with time to unwind. Enjoy dinner tonight at a restaurant in Corte. Activity: 5 hours/7 miles hiking with 2,297' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 7 HIKE AT THE AIGUILLES DE BAVELLA & LEARN ITS ROCKY SECRETS Transfer to the foot of Bavella, whose rocky red granite spikes, or needles, "aiguilles," make it one of the most visited natural sights in all of Corsica. Laurent will show you its hidden secrets, including the "Trou de la Bombe," a naturally carved hole in the rocks. From here, leave the pine forest to follow an old shepherds' path up towards the serrated, rocky summit. Take some time to appreciate the views, then descend to the bottom of the trail to transfer to our charming hotel in Levie. Activity: 4 hours/6 miles hiking with 1,476' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 8 HIKE TO THE PLATEAU OF CUSCIONE & LUNCH AT AN ICONIC TRAILSIDE CAFE Transfer to your trailhead off the beaten path to hike between hills and the "pozzines" that dot this unique landscape. By lunch, reach a favorite café of the GR20 trek, Chez Jean-Louis and Ludo, a small family café that's welcomed trekkers for years and specializes in homemade charcuterie. Needless to say, you'll enjoy the result of their work! After lunch, take one last climb for an exceptional view of the Aiguilles de Bavella, before transferring back to the inn for dinner. Activity: 4 hours/6 miles hiking with 1,476' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 9 HIKE THE HEART OF THE AIGUILLES DE BAVELLA As you finish the mountain section of this adventure, get ready for a rugged, rocky and steep section of the GR20. Today's route takes you into the heart of the Aiguilles de Bavella, leading you to incredible heights for some of your most memorable views of the trip as you trek between tall, pink granite towers, all while enjoying incredible views of the sea below. Then, board the van for a 1.5-hour transfer to the town of Bonifacio. Enjoy dinner tonight with the group at a restaurant in town. Activity: 6 hours/8 miles hiking with 3,000' elevation gain and loss Meals: B, L, D DAY 10 HIKE THE CLIFFS OF BONIFACIO & EXPLORE TOWN Today, hike towards to the famous limestone cliffs of Bonifacio, passing by the small beach of Cala Sciumara on our way.